WEEK 3, DAY 21: PRAYERFUL
Scripture Reference: Luke 5:33-39
As I think about the idea of being prayerful, I can’t help but wonder how many Christians pray out of formality. Of course living a life that is full of prayer is foundational to our relationship with God, but have we become numb to its power? When we pray, do we really believe that God will hear and answer? Or do we keep a faint sense of hope in our hearts, while fighting off thoughts of doubt in our minds?
Today, we are going to unpack this idea of confident prayer. How do we pray in such a way that we go to God boldly? How do we develop a prayer-filled life?
HAVE A CONVERSATION
I’d like to start with the idea that prayer is a conversation. It is easy to get caught up in the formality of prayer. But, in my own prayer life, prayer is very informal. It is me having a conversation with my Dad who loves me. It is the way we communicate and strengthen our relationship. It’s where I turn to for wisdom and encouragement. It is also where I share my thoughts and concerns about myself or people who need Him to intervene on their behalf. It’s where I embrace the moments when I sit and listen. And lastly, it’s something I enjoy and couldn’t live without.
Psalms 66:19 (NIV) – but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer
PRAYERFUL CONFIDENCE
Besides prayer being a conversation, it is as important to know you can come to the Lord with confidence because you are to reign in life. You have been seated with Christ because of what He did on the cross. We do not have to come to God in a posture of begging. In fact, we shouldn’t come to Him in a posture of begging. What if your child came to you and begged you for something you already provided for them? You would let them know that it is already theirs and that they can confidently access it. It is the same way with God. He is our Father and wants us to come to him with confidence.
Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV) – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV) – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Romans 5:17 (NIV) – For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
PRAYERFUL LIFESTYLE
As we think of prayer as a conversation and we come to the Lord with confidence, we need practical steps to make prayer a lifestyle. What does that look like?
Priority: Include prayer in the first part of your day. Make an appointment with God and keep it. Make it a priority.
Place: Go to a place of prayer before a place of social media. You may have a physical place where you enjoy to pray. However, your heart and mind need to go to a place that is focused on the Lord.
Plan: It’s always good to have a plan. There are several prayer guides and other resources available to us. Jesus laid out a great plan for us in Matthew chapter six.
— April Scipio, The Point Church
Time to Contemplate:
- How is prayer a part of your everyday life?
- Why is it important for us to come to God boldly and pray with confidence?
- What practical steps can you take today for a stronger prayerful life?
Pray:
Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to die for me so that I can have direct access to you. I know that when I pray, you hear me and are delighted to speak to Me. You know what is best for me and I choose to live a life in constant communication with you. Help me to make prayer a priority. Show me the best place to pray as I prepare my heart and mind. Give me the wisdom of what to pray each day. May the words I pray bring you glory and make a difference in the Kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
